"You've saved yourself a life."
The Supreme King's voice remained cold and hollow, devoid of any warmth or emotion - not even sarcasm.
It was as if he was simply stating a nailed-down fact.
But that was precisely what infuriated Aigami the most.
He felt belittled. The opponent's attitude made him feel like a clown who overestimated himself, as if defeating him was as easy as lifting a finger, not even worthy of a warm-up exercise.
Aigami stared directly into those golden, intimidating pupils of the opponent, feeling the blade-like cold gaze, and his anger grew increasingly intense.
"The battle isn't over yet."
The Supreme King seemed completely unaware of the change in his opponent's emotions, or more likely, even if he noticed, he simply didn't care.
He was the Supreme King, the strongest Duelist in all dimensions, the greatest ambitionist. He would crush any foe in his path, defeat every strong adversary in the endless dimensions, and one day reach the true pinnacle.
He had never been interested in understanding his opponents, only in defeating them all.
"Keeper of Dragon Magic," the Supreme King commanded, "attack the enemy directly."
The knight in azure armor swung his spear, his cloak billowing as he charged.
[Keeper of Dragon Magic, ATK 1800]
"Don't get ahead of yourself!" Aigami shouted, raising his arm, "Activate the Set Card! Trap Card - Security Orb! When the opponent's Monster declares an attack, change that Monster's battle position!"
This card can only be activated during the attack declaration, and just as the Inferno Wing attacked, all effects activated by both sides occurred in the Damage Calculation phase, missing the timing, so Security Orb couldn't activate.
A red spherical machine appeared on Aigami's field, and a blue ray locked onto the knight attempting to charge.
This way, he could at least dodge the damage from this wave of attack...
But the Supreme King swiftly flipped another Set Card: "Then I activate the Trap - Dramatic Rescue. When a Monster on my field becomes the target of an effect, return that Monster to the hand, then Special Summon another Monster from the hand." (Anime effect)
Aigami's eyelids twitched: "A Trap to replace the Monster?"
"The Keeper of Dragon Magic targeted by 'Security Orb' returns to the hand." The Supreme King revealed another card from his hand, "Summon 'Evil Hero Infernal Gainer'!"
The form of the Keeper of Dragon Magic vanished into thin air, and the ray from Security Orb struck nothing.
The Evil Hero, clad in heavy demon-style armor, appeared on the field, his body bristling with sinister white bone spikes, with silver-white claws like blades, and armor resembling a metallic demon skeleton.
[Evil Hero Infernal Gainer, ATK 1600]
Aigami's expression changed: "Could he have... prepared for even this step?"
"The effect of 'Evil Hero Infernal Gainer'," the Supreme King continued, "during my Battle Phase, banish 'Infernal Gainer' that hasn't declared an attack this turn.
This turn, a Fiend-Type Monster on my field can attack twice."
Aigami: "Nani!?"
Space twisted, currents tore open a Dimensional Fissure, and Infernal Gainer vanished into a transparent phantom within that fissure. Meanwhile, Inferno Wing's attack rights were reset, once again gaining the authority to launch an attack.
The Supreme King ruthlessly ordered, "Additional attack. Evil Hero Inferno Wing, attack directly!"
The evil female hero spread her tainted wings, soared up, and charged with an ominous cold wind, her claws trailing hellish Karmic Fire marks.
Karma Fire Burst!
Cold Karmic Fire piercing the soul, the impact of the Prison Flame, a tactile sensation penetrating to the bones surged through Aigami's whole body. The blast propelled him high into the air, like a kite helplessly falling, his face closely contacting the solid ground.
[Aigami, LP 4000 → LP 1900]
Thus, the Supreme King's attack finally ended.
"Set three cards." The Supreme King declared, "Turn end."
But Aigami still lay on the ground, not getting up.
The burning pain from the Prison Flame continued to resonate throughout his body like an illusion that wouldn't fade. Aigami pressed his hands against the ground, straining to force himself to get up, looking at the Supreme King with an indignant and hateful yet slightly fearful gaze.
This guy was absurdly strong!
Looking at this child—or rather, the spirit of the King hidden within this child's body, he felt as if he was staring at a fortified, invincible fortress fully armed.
The child's image seemed gradually to meld with the darkness of the Supreme King Castle behind him, insurmountable, unbeatable.
Aigami began to doubt life.
Could it be... that his card skills aren't enough?
It was one thing not to beat Kaiba Seto yesterday, but how could he not beat this brat from who knows where?
Lord Shadi never mentioned there were so many cheaters in the world!
"Get up." The Supreme King's icy voice sounded again, an irresistible command, "Surrender is not allowed. Your only option is to be crushed by me in this duel."
These words reignited Aigami's anger.
"You're too full of yourself, brat."
He stood up, calmed his breathing, rallied, trying to act as if this duel had just begun, and immersed himself back into this dimensional arena.
"My turn!"
Aigami drew his card with force, as if the greater the intensity of drawing the card, the more it could bring him miracles.
"I banish 'Buster Gundil the Cubic Behemoth' from the graveyard, I can return a 'Vijam the Cubic Seed' from the grave to my hand." (Anime effect)
Aigami retrieved a Vijam from the graveyard and immediately played it.
"Summon 'Vijam the Cubic Seed'!"
[Vijam the Cubic Seed, ATK 0]
"Then, adding on the Magic Card 'Multiply'!" Aigami continued, "With a Monster on the field with 500 attack points or less as a tribute, Special Summon any number of Tokens. (Anime effect)
I use the 0 attack point 'Vijam the Cubic Seed' as a tribute to Special Summon three 'Vijam the Cubic Seed Token'!"
Under the power of the Magic Card, Vijam split apart, and with a rippling golden wave, divided into three, standing side by side on Aigami's field.
[Vijam the Cubic Seed Token, ATK 0] x3
Though they appeared indistinguishable from a real 'Vijam the Cubic Seed', they were merely Tokens, lacking the abilities of a true Cubic Monster.
The only thing they inherited were the appearance and a similar name.
But that's enough!
"When there are three 'Cubic Seed' Monsters on my field... this guy can be Special Summoned!" Aigami shouted, "Light of the woven fabric, deep darkness, restore the world to its original form, open the door to a new world!
Indiora Doom Volt the Cubic Emperor!!!"
As if to engulf the dimension in darkness, or shine brightly across the heavens. The sky was filled with floating golden points of light forming a massive hand, and with a heavy thud, the white body landed, the design on its chest resembling a mocking ghostly face.
Indiora Doom Volt the Cubic Emperor, summon!!!